Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C polymorphism but not of C677T with multiple sclerosis in Tunisian patients

Abstract

Background and objectiveMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by central nervous system (CNS) inflammation and demyelination of nerve axons. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and multiple sclerosis in Tunisian patients. Patients and methodsThe genotyping of two missense variants of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, C677T and A1298C was performed in 80 multiple sclerosis patients and 200 healthy controls. ResultsNo significant differences were found in the frequency of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism between MS patients and healthy controls. However, the genotype prevalence of the missense variant MTHFR A1298C was significantly different between patients and controls (A/C: 55% versus 7%, p<10−3; C/C: 13.75% versus 0%, p<10−3, respectively). ConclusionAlthough our preliminary findings suggest no association between the MTHFR C677T variants and MS, there is evidence to suggest a significant association between the MTHFR A1298C polymorphisms and MS.